Big Blue is Best in Blackpool (Big Blue Hotel (Blackpool))

Member Name: blondgem

Product:	Big Blue Hotel (Blackpool)
Date:	09/01/08 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All round excellent

Disadvantages: none

When I think of Blackpool, I normally think of dingy bed and breakfast's and slightly better hotels that are normally crammed full of the older generation (no offence.. i ain't getting any younger myself). However, The Big Blue Hotel is in a league of its own and I would recommend anyone that is taking a trip to Blackpool and are not bothered about the cost of the accommodation to treat themselves and book into the Big Blue Hotel.

The Big Blue Hotel used to be part of the Best Western chain of hotels, however I am not sure whether it still is. Situated directly next door to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, this is a luxurious hotel that now has 157 bedrooms, from standard rooms, family rooms and suites. It also has various restaurants and leisure facilities and boasts an excellent reputation and attracts guests from all environments.

- Upon Arrival -

The Big Blue Hotel is situated directly next door to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Looking at it, it is exactly as the name of it. It's a big hotel and its blue, it stands out a mile, is signposted but when you get closer to it you can't miss it. The good thing about this hotel is that it does have its own carpark and there is ample space for all residents. Its a private carpark and the staff at the hotel do ensure that it is only residents parking, so you can sleep at ease knowing that your car is safe and secure and you haven't got to walk miles with luggage to get to and forth from the hotel. Personally I don't like leaving my car just anywhere as you never know in this day and age.

- Reception -

The reception when you arrive is very pleasant, its extrememly bright which gives you as a first impression that you are going to enjoy your stay at their hotel. Your are greated with a large desk in front of you to check in. The reception is like a oak wood theme with white tiles and is very clean and tidy. Directly behind the reception desk is a large aquarium that fills the backwall, which also adds a kind of tranquil effect to the environment. The staff manning the reception are very polite and professional, which is what you would expect of a hotel of this standard. Very efficient in checking you in and directing you to you allocated room. I couldn't fault them at all.

- Rooms -

There are several floors within the hotel, luckily we were on ground floor so I am unable to comment on the lifts within the hotel, which I aren't a big fan of to be honest and always seem to have bad experiences with them anyway. The doors to the rooms are via a key card method, of which majority of us have more than likely used in the past anyway and consist on a credit card like card, that you swipe on the door to open the door itself. Entering the room, I was pleasantly surprised, I knew it was going to be nice because of how much the room cost per night, however it did overwhelm me a little bit that the description within the brochure was very accurate and the room itself did live up to the standards that I expected.

As you walk into the room, directly on your left was the bathroom. The bathroom itself was very spacious, very clean and very impressive. I love going into hotel rooms, sometimes they impress, sometimes they disappoint, but opening that bathroom door pleasantly surprised me and I was looking forward to jumping in that bath. The light in there lit the bathroom itself up nicely as I find sometimes the lights are too bright or there isn't enough, however this was subtle.

As you walk further into the room, our room was a Superior Double, on your left there was a king sized bed which had a faux leather headboard and looked very comfortable. Directly on your right there were wardrobes and a dressing table with the usual tea and coffee facilities and on this occasion also contained a bottle of champagne and fruit basket. Cracked that open straight away. Haha. Directly in front of you was the living area with a very attractive fireplace, ehich I liked that much I had to take a picture of it because I wanted one myself when I got home. It also had seating area with faux suede tub chairs and table. This part of the room was slate tiled which gave it a lovely effect. Being on the ground floor too, we didn't have patio doors, but the windowns were from top to bottom and let in a great array of light.

- Corridors -

The corridors within the ground floor, I'm not sure whether they are on all floorsa housed drinks machines and snack machine, water tanks and ice machines should you wish to use them during your stay.

- Restaurant -

The price included bed and breakfast and consisted of buffet style breakfast which was served from 8am - 10am within the restaurant. This particular area was a good size and instead of having tables dotted here there and every where there are sections with backrest that go around the room and the layout is very different than other hotels that I have been in. Breakfast consisted of traditional English which was buffet style and had everything on there, bacon, egg, sausage, beans, tomoatoes, hash browns, fried bread, mushrooms etc etc. You were also able to order the like of kippers for breakfast if you wanted to or could take the option of a continental breakfast. Tea and Coffee and other beverages you ahd to serve yoruself via machines and ice jugs for fruit juice. The staff there were only on hand for clearing tables and keeping the restaurant tidy, however were very friendly.

- Room Service -

The hotel operates rooms service as and when you require it and menu's can be found within the rooms. Rooms service is available most of the time and is very efficient. We order a midnight pizza and it was delivered to our door within 20 minutes, piping hot by a very pleasant gentlemen. Rooms service, you can either pay them when they bring them or easier have it added onto your room for settlement at the end of yur stay.

- Additional Features -

The hotel itself has its own gym and has various rooms should you be looking to hold an event or generally just looking for a meeting room for business. Not actually seeing these rooms personally, however I can imagine that they would be fantastic and the staff themselves are very helpful and organised, i'm an event would be good there.

- Guests -

As mentioned earlier, the Big Blue Hotel attracts people from all walks of life and during our stay that we did see a few celebrities that had obviously chosen this hotel because of its reputation and its high standards.

- Rates -

When we stayed here for a Superior Double, it cost £100 per night. Champagne and Fruit Bowl was charged at an additional £45 and we were given complimentary bath robes within this particular room. Family rooms are available that do have activities and small area in the rooms to keep children entertained, which I though was very good.

- Overall -

I don't go to Blackpool very often, however if I do return I wouldn't stay anywhere else to be honest. This hotel is just fantastic, ideally it should be in a better location. The hotel does get booked up quick and the chance of getting a room on the off chance is very low so if you consider if please make sure your book before hand

The Big Blue Hotel
Ocean Boulevard
Pleasure Beach
Lancashire
FY4 1ND

Tel: 0845 367 3333 Uk Reservations
Fax: 01253 400046
Email: infor:bigbluehotel.co.uk
web: www.bigbluehotel.com

Summary: It worth visiting - a truly excellent experience